Outdoor Living

Eclectic look hinges on carefully balanced room

An eclectic look is a combination of carefully chosen objects that are intriguing to look at, yet not overdone. This look highlights designers’ creativity and its hallmark is a casual kind of balance.

Photograph by: Thinkstock
, Postmedia News

Q: Dear Leanne,

I have a question about matching nightstands. We just purchased a beautiful sleigh bed for our master bedroom. We were not enamoured with the stands that went with the suite. Originally we thought we would pick up two nightstands from a different collection, but I would love to try a creative unmatched look where each stand is different. I have second guessed every choice so far and realize I am not sure how to go about making this work. Help, please.

A: What you have described is the charming eclectic look — a combination of carefully chosen objects that are intriguing to look at, yet not overdone. This look highlights designers' creativity and its hallmark is a casual kind of balance. However, although it may not look like it, this design style does follow the same principles as a structured/matched design, specifically the principles of function and balance.

Regardless of what design you choose, you always want to ensure you have a highly functioning room. To find the "right" nightstands, you need to know what you are looking for. Do you plan to read in bed? Will the stand house a lamp, phone or alarm clock? Determine the height you need to easily access these items by first figuring out the height of the bed with the mattress and bedding intact.

Finally, lie on the bed to determine the optimum height for the stands. Also consider whether you require the stands to provide storage. If so, do you prefer doors, drawers or an open shelf?

Once you are armed with the parameters of the stands you can implement your eclectic design plan. This is where room balance — of items in context with other items — comes into play. When parts interrelate harmoniously, you've achieved asymmetrical balance.

Look for a common point to tie the stands and bed together. For example, if your bed is a sleek art deco sleigh in dark wood, consider a mirrored nightstand with doors or drawers on one side and a chrome and glass night stand with an open shelf on the other. Chrome, glass and mirror are all compatible elements for this design period.

Balance now needs to come into play with size, scale and visual weight. Mirror and glass are both visually light, but the glass and chrome will seem more or less significant depending on what you place in the shelf, thus affecting the visual balance. If you are new to this design style, try to change only one or two elements and match others. For example, change the nightstands but use similar lamps. If you are more adventurous, you can have differing stands, lamps and wall decor. Finally, step back and use the squint test to determine if the room feels balanced or heavier on one side. Then decide whether you prefer to add or delete items that enhance the overall balance.

Leanne Brownoff is an Edmonton interior design consultant who welcomes your questions at leannebrownoff@shaw.ca. Answers will be featured in her column as high volumes prevent individual email responses. Also follow her at Twitter.com/LeanneBrownoff.

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